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Three Youths Drown After Car Flips Into Private Pool in Southern France

Prosecutors ordered autopsies to clarify the cause, including any role of nitrous oxide.

Overview

  • The crash occurred near Alès around 2 a.m. when a Peugeot 207 missed a curve, struck a wall, and landed upside down in a home's swimming pool.
  • The victims were males aged 14, 15, and 19, and authorities say the car was wedged in the pool, complicating access for rescuers.
  • The homeowner discovered the submerged vehicle around 6 a.m. and called emergency services, but all three occupants were found dead.
  • Investigators recovered numerous nitrous-oxide canisters from the car, though it remains unclear whether the occupants had inhaled the gas.
  • Police have not confirmed who was driving; media reports suggest the 14-year-old may have been at the wheel as inquiries into circumstances and any prior police contacts continue.